Johnnie J. Chiaravalle, 21, was charged on April 14 with two counts of aggravated domestic battery, domestic battery, and unlawful restraint after allegedly beating his girlfriend over several hours in Peoria. The victim is currently hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. During a detention hearing, the court granted the State’s request for Chiaravalle to remain in custody until trial.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about domestic violence in the community. Authorities responded to a report at the East Bluff Community Center on April 13 and found the victim with significant facial swelling, cuts on her legs, and bruising across her body. She told officers that Chiaravalle prevented her from leaving their home and assaulted her for eight to nine hours by striking her face, head, and body with his fists, fracturing her nose. She also reported being strangled multiple times and having knives thrown at her.
Officers arrested Chiaravalle at his residence where they found clumps of hair believed to belong to the victim as well as blood-like stains on the floor and several steak and folding knives. Chiaravalle claimed he had been asleep during the incident.
Peoria County schools have an average student-to-teacher ratio of 15-to-1 based on data from the 2022-23 school year; there were 27,081 students enrolled across county schools supported by 1,844 full-time faculty members according to state education data. The teacher absenteeism rate was recorded at 32.3% locally compared to Illinois’ statewide average of 35.6% according to state records.
In terms of student demographics among Peoria County’s schools: Dunlap High School had the highest enrollment of white students (873), Richwoods High School led in multiracial student enrollment (182), Lincoln School had the highest number of Hispanic students (218), while Peoria High School recorded the most Black students (798) as reported by state statistics.
Police are continuing their investigation into this incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Peoria Police Department.
